Saudi Crown Prince Affirms Palestinian State as Precondition for Israel Normalisation at White House Talks
Mohammed bin Salman tells President Donald Trump that Saudi-Israel ties depend on a ‘clear path’ to a two-state solution
During a meeting at the White House on 18 November 2025, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman told President Donald Trump that normalisation of relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel hinges on the establishment of a Palestinian state.
The prince said: “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path [to a] two-state solution.”
The visit, marked by ceremonial fanfare, follows renewed U.S. efforts to broker a deal between the largest Arab economy and Israel.
Against this backdrop the crown prince’s remarks signal that Riyadh is maintaining the Palestinian issue as a central element of its diplomacy, even as its bilateral ties with Washington deepen.
President Trump framed his administration’s Middle Eastern strategy as one of advancing peace and economic growth, and welcomed the possibility of Saudi-Israel engagement while emphasising that both countries are “great allies”.
He noted that negotiations on normalisation and defence cooperation were proceeding and that he expected positive outcomes for the region.
Saudi Arabia’s stance echoes previous public statements by the kingdom reaffirming its commitment to Palestinian statehood with East Jerusalem as its capital and rejecting formal ties with Israel without that outcome.
The White House meeting therefore conveys both continuation and evolution: Saudi Arabia remains firm on its condition while working closely with the United States on regional security and investment initiatives.
For Israel, the condition poses a diplomatic milestone.
The current Israeli government has resisted full Palestinian statehood as part of normalisation deals, which means any agreement would require overcoming significant political hurdles in Jerusalem.
From Washington’s perspective, the Saudi position gives the U.S. greater leverage in its mediation role and reaffirms its status as the central hub for regional diplomacy.
The convergence of defence, investment and diplomacy at the White House meeting suggests that the Saudi-U.S. axis is deepening even as the Palestinian dimension remains unresolved.
The outcome could shape a new chapter of Middle-East relations in which Saudi Arabia seeks both closer ties with Israel and a leading role in advancing Palestinian rights and statehood.
The prince said: “We want to be part of the Abraham Accords, but we want also to be sure that we secure a clear path [to a] two-state solution.”
The visit, marked by ceremonial fanfare, follows renewed U.S. efforts to broker a deal between the largest Arab economy and Israel.
Against this backdrop the crown prince’s remarks signal that Riyadh is maintaining the Palestinian issue as a central element of its diplomacy, even as its bilateral ties with Washington deepen.
President Trump framed his administration’s Middle Eastern strategy as one of advancing peace and economic growth, and welcomed the possibility of Saudi-Israel engagement while emphasising that both countries are “great allies”.
He noted that negotiations on normalisation and defence cooperation were proceeding and that he expected positive outcomes for the region.
Saudi Arabia’s stance echoes previous public statements by the kingdom reaffirming its commitment to Palestinian statehood with East Jerusalem as its capital and rejecting formal ties with Israel without that outcome.
The White House meeting therefore conveys both continuation and evolution: Saudi Arabia remains firm on its condition while working closely with the United States on regional security and investment initiatives.
For Israel, the condition poses a diplomatic milestone.
The current Israeli government has resisted full Palestinian statehood as part of normalisation deals, which means any agreement would require overcoming significant political hurdles in Jerusalem.
From Washington’s perspective, the Saudi position gives the U.S. greater leverage in its mediation role and reaffirms its status as the central hub for regional diplomacy.
The convergence of defence, investment and diplomacy at the White House meeting suggests that the Saudi-U.S. axis is deepening even as the Palestinian dimension remains unresolved.
The outcome could shape a new chapter of Middle-East relations in which Saudi Arabia seeks both closer ties with Israel and a leading role in advancing Palestinian rights and statehood.
